"Today, after two and a half years, we can see, and people can feel in the country, the true scale of this government's economic failure," he began. "Our economy is contracting, the Chancellor has confirmed government borrowing is revised up this year, next year and every year."

Then things seemed to unravel as he continued: "The national deficit is not rising," before correcting himself, "Er, is rising, not falling."

The Shadow Chancellor, who has had a lifelong stammer, tried to continue, but his words were drowned out by jeers from the other side of the House. He eventually managed to start again, a little more successfully this time: "People are already struggling to make ends meet, middle and lower income families and pensioners are paying the price."

Mr Osborne's complicated package of changes in the Autumn Statement will hit those who pay the 40p rate of income tax and wealthier pensioners, who will get less tax relief.

However, there is good news for drivers and low earners. The Chancellor will scrap a planned 3p rise in petrol duty and raise the tax-free personal allowance, so those earning under £9,440 will pay nothing to the Treasury at all.